Louisiana voters will head to the polls Saturday to elect the state’s new governor. A recent poll shows Democrat John Bel Edwards’ lead over Republican David Vitter has shrunk down to the single digits. LAPolitics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the Syrian refugee issue has helped Vitter…:
CUT 3 (08) “leverage that”
Polls will be open from 7AM to 8PM.

The famous City of Natchitoches Christmas lights will be lit up following the “Turn on the Holidays” event downtown tomorrow. There was a controversy this week regarding the fact that Mayor Lee Posey banned the Confederate battle flag from the their Christmas parade this year. He says a standards of excellence is in place for Natchitoches Christmas events and they remove certain elements from the parade all the time…:
Cut 9 (12) “particular flag”
The event tomorrow is free and open to the public.

The two gubernatorial candidates are making their last pitch for support on the eve of Election Day. Emelie Gunn reports…:
CUT 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A 26-year-old Denham Springs man will spend the rest of his life in prison for shooting up his fiancee with heroin, causing a fatal overdose. An East Baton Rouge Parish jury found Jarret McCasland guilty of second degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence. District Attorney Hillar Moore says a seldom used statue was used in this case…:
CUT 8 (08) “deadly drug”

Election day is tomorrow in Louisiana. Polls will be open from 7AM to 8PM. The statewide ballot is highlighted by the gubernatorial runoff between Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says it’s always important to exercise your right to vote and encourages everyone to make time in their schedule tomorrow…

cut 6 (09) “friend, anybody”

The Lt. Governor and Attorney General races will also be on the ballot, as well as several legislative seats across the state.

An East Baton Rouge Parish jury has convicted a 26-year-old Denham Springs man of second degree murder in the overdose death of his fiancee. Jarret McCasland was found guilty of giving 19-year-old Flavia Gardenas a lethal overdose of heroin in 2013. The jury deliberated about 75 minutes before returning a unanimous verdict. McCasland faces a mandatory life sentence.

A recent report, compiled by Morning Consult, shows that Governor Bobby Jindal is the second least popular governor in the nation. The website surveyed more than 75,000 voters in all 50 states to compile their list. The report shows only 35-percent of Louisiana voters approve of Jindal’s performance. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback is the only governor with a lower approval rating than Jindal, with 26-percent. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker topped the list with a 74-percent approval rating.

The City of Natchitoches officially kicks off their Christmas Festival season Saturday with it’s “Turn on the Holidays” event. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Saturday is election day in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Shreveport Police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred last night. They say a man an a woman were shot in the incident. Both were rushed to a local hospital where the woman was later pronounced dead. The condition of the man is unknown at this time. Authorities say suspects were seen fleeing the scene moments after the shooting. A search is underway.

Louisiana fishermen have the rare opportunity to catch red snapper in state waters in November and December as a fall red snapper season begins today. Assistant Secretary for the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Randy Pausina, says many recreational anglers are appreciative of the opportunity to catch red snapper during the holidays…

cut 16 (07) “claiming our fish”

Pausina expects the fall season to remain open through the rest of the year.

The City of Natchitoches’s “Turn on the Holidays” event officially kicks off their Christmas Festival season tomorrow. The event marks the beginning of the city’s preparation for the 89th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Festival on December 5th. Mayor Lee Posey says there will be events in the city every weekend through Christmas and it just gets bigger and bigger every year…

cut 8 (09) “get to em”

Tomorrow’s event will begin the 45 nights of Christmas lights.

In the final day before the runoff election, the two candidates for governor are making their last pitch to voters. Democrat Representative John Bel Edwards says his message to voters is that this election isn’t about party, but about working together to fix the state’s problems.

cut 13 (09) “being Louisianans”

Polls heading into Saturday’s election show Republican Senator David Vitter trailing his opponent. Vitter says before the polls close, he hopes to sway undecided voters in his direction…

cut 11 (11) “the issues”

The Lt. Governor and Attorney General races will also be on Saturday’s ballot. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says there are also local races on the ballot that will affect voter turnout…

cut 5 (09) “always does”

Polls will be open from 7AM to 8PM Saturday.

The City of Natchitoches officially kicks off their Christmas Festival season tomorrow with its “Turn on the Holidays” event. Entertainment, shopping and food vendors will be showcased throughout the day, then that evening, hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights will illuminate the Natchitoches Historic Landmark District. Mayor Lee Posey…

cut 7 (09) “wow”

Turn on the Holidays features live musical performances, amusements, and fireworks.

The State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces a rare fall red snapper season begins today. Assistant Secretary Randy Pausina expects the fall season to remain open through the rest of the year, but the weather will have an impact….

cut 15 (06) “bad is right”

The fall season was announced after it was determined Louisiana did not reach its maximum number of red fish harvested for 2015.

The two candidates for governor are making their last pitch to voters on this election eve. Republican Senator David Vitter says he’ll be all over the state campaigning today getting his message out…

cut 10 (11) “after issue”

Democratic Representative John Bel Edwards says as governor, he will be present, hands on and engaged. He says he will bring Republicans and Democrats together.

cut 12 (08) “do that”

Polls will open tomorrow at 7AM and close at 8PM.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler says, with this election falling on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, there’s concern that some activities may keep some voters from the polls…

cut 4 (10) “turnout down”

However, early voting numbers have Schedler predicting a 42-percent voter turnout for the runoff.

Louisiana fishermen have the rare opportunity to catch red snapper in state waters in November and December. Randy Pausina, assistant secretary for the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, says a fall red snapper season begins today, after it was determined Louisiana did not reach its maximum number of red fish harvested for 2015…

cut 14 (09) “92-percent”

The fall season will run seven days a week in state waters with a daily bag and possession limit of two fish per person at a 16-inch minimum total length. Pausina expects the fall season to remain open through the rest of the year.

Federal, state, and local authorities held a news conference in New Orleans today to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu says facts have been confused in the days following the Paris attacks…:
CUT 9 (10) “threats at all”
He says they are utilizing every effort to keep it that way.

Baton Rouge Police say a second man has been arrested in the slaying of an elderly couple whose bodies were discovered at a Hammond truck stop last month. Lt. Johnny Dunham says 48-year-old Frank Garcia was arrested in Florida and will be charged with two counts of first degree murder. He didn’t say what led to the arrest…:
CUT 4 (10) “at this point”
Denis and Suzy Duplantier of Baton Rouge were killed in October. 42-year-old Ernesto Alonso was previously arrested and charged in the deaths.

Today is the Great American Smokeout and Mike Rogers with the Smoking Cessation Trust reminds longtime smokers that they offer a program which provides free medications and other necessary services to Louisianians who started smoking before September 1988…:
CUT 14 (06) “tobacco’s money”
For more information visit smokefreela.org

Jim Hawthorne returns to broadcasting for LSU tonight as he has the call for LSU-South Alabama basketball game at the PMAC. Hawthorne has missed the last two football games, after undergoing heart surgery. The legendary broadcaster says it’s been an unique experiience to watch LSU football games as a fan on TV…
cut 8 (11) “…watch a game”
Hawthorne will return as LSU’s football play-by-play man for the regular season finale against Texas A-and-M.

Authorities held a press conference in New Orleans this morning to reassure residents that an attack similar to the one in Paris last week is not imminent in Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (27) “I’m Eric Gill”

Governor Bobby Jindal is calling on the candidates for Governor to outline specific budget proposals instead of criticizing the one his Administration has laid out. Both Republican David Vitter and Democrat John Bel Edwards say they would reject Jindal’s plan to address the current year budget deficit. Jindal says neither candidate is suggesting detailed solutions and they should have the guts to say what their plan is.

Baton Rouge Police report a second man has been arrested in the slaying of an elderly Baton Rouge couple whose bodies were discovered at a Hammond truck stop last month. Lt. Johnny Dunham says 48-year-old Frank Garcia was arrested in Florida and will be charged with two counts of first degree murder. 42-year-old Ernesto already charged in the death’s of Denis Duplantier and Suzanne Duplantier. Dunham says this is still an active investigation and it’s possible more arrests could be made…:
CUT 5 (07) “call Crime Stoppers”

Today is the Great American Smokeout, a day that has been designated for smokers to quit their habit. According to the Center for Disease Control 24-percent of Louisiana adults smoke, which is higher than the national percentage. Mike Rogers with the Smoking Cessation Trust says, since 2012, they’ve offered a program that provides free products to help people quit:
CUT 13 (09) “benefits”